Lameness in dogs can be difficult to diagnose. A dog cannot tell us where it hurts. It also can be hard to tell whether the dog is limping on a front or hind leg, or whether the pain originates from the foot, knee, elbow or hip joint. Causes can be as simple as a muscle strain or torn nail, or as complicated as elbow dysplasia or cancer.
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Check Paws and Toenails
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Although dogs' paw pads are very tough, they still can pick up thorns and slivers. These can be difficult to see but are painful, and the dog may jerk away quickly when the pad is touched. Grass seeds can work their way between the toes and under the skin. Toenails and dew claws (the extra claw on some dogs' inner lower legs) can break or become infected with fungal diseases. Occasionally dogs can get bitten or stung by snakes or insects. If lameness is accompanied by unusual behavior or lack of appetite, see a vet.
Trauma
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If your dog is lame after being hit by a car or a fall, suspect muscle or ligament sprain or a broken bone. Depending on the severity of the incident and the dog's discomfort, this may be a veterinary emergency.
Dogs who have been in a fight with another dog, cat or any other animal may have tooth or claw puncture wounds on their legs or feet. In most cases these are virtually impossible to see and can become infected and abscessed. A dog with a suspected puncture wound needs a vet visit. Bites to the foot and lower leg can be particularly dangerous because they can lead to life-threatening bone infections.
Younger Dogs
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Young dogs may have panosteitis, which is when fast growth causes joint inflammation. Also called "wandering lameness" because the limping can shift from leg to leg, this primarily affects large growing dogs. Most dogs grow out of it without intervention.
Hip and elbow dysplasia and other joint deformities often manifest during times of fast growth in dogs. Hip dysplasia is characterized by a dog "bunny hopping" instead of walking normally upon first getting up and after exercise.
Because young dogs tend to be more active and uncoordinated, it's not uncommon for them to pull a muscle. As with any limp that persists for more than a day, or gets worse, this needs to be evaluated by a veterinarian.
Older Dogs
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Although arthritis can show up early in some young dogs because of joint deformity or a puppyhood injury, it is very common in middle-aged and senior dogs. Limping from arthritis comes on very gradually, with the dog becoming progressively stiffer and more lame as they age.
Older dogs, particularly large and giant breeds, are prone to osteosarcoma (bone cancer.) This usually affects one of the long leg bones and can become excruciatingly painful. Some tumors are very slow growing and can be mistaken for arthritis. More aggressive tumors progress quickly and are easy to diagnose.
Less Common Causes
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Bacterial and viral diseases, such as encephalitis and Lyme disease, cause joint inflammation and limping, as do some glandular diseases, such as Cushing's and thyroid malfunction. Often these are accompanied by other symptoms, such as hair loss, lethargy and changes in eating and drinking habits.
Neurological problems caused by spinal and neck injury or bone infections also may cause lameness.
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